Mountain Formation Quiz

1. Plate Tectonics: When tectonic plates collide, one plate can be pushed up, forming mountains like the Himalayas. Plates can also move apart, creating gaps filled with volcanic activity that eventually form mountains, as seen in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. 2. Volcanic Activity: Volcanic mountains, such as Mount St. Helens or Mount Fuji, form when magma from Earth's mantle erupts onto the surface, building up layers of lava, ash, and volcanic rock. 3. Erosion: Over time, natural forces like wind, water, and ice wear down softer rock layers, exposing harder ones and creating mountain ranges. For instance, the Grand Canyon showcases erosion revealing the layers of rock over millions of years. These processes take millions of years, resulting in the diverse range of mountains we see across the world.

When tectonic plates collide, one plate can be pushed up, forming mountains like the Himalayas. Plates can also move apart, creating gaps filled with volcanic activity that eventually form mountains, as seen in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Volcanic mountains, such as Mount St. Helens or Mount Fuji, form when magma from Earth's mantle erupts onto the surface, building up layers of lava, ash, and volcanic rock.

Over time, natural forces like wind, water, and ice wear down softer rock layers, exposing harder ones and creating mountain ranges.